TWO WEEKS LATER— LILY'S POV.
The Lady Tony Gave his Number to.
Lily sat at the corner booth of Q&Z, the hum of campus chatter weaving through the restaurant. Her strawberry smoothie glistened under the soft yellow lights, condensation sliding down the glass as her fingers traced the rim absentmindedly. Megan's voice cut through the noise, sharp and animated, her pineapple smoothie raised halfway to her lips.
"You guys won't believe who approached me Friday after lectures to ask for my socials," she said, her face twisting, upper lip curling as though the memory itself was sour.
Hailey, chopsticks poised with a piece of sushi, tilted her head, chewing slowly. "Who?" Her brow arched, eyes narrowing with curiosity.
"Some fool called Tyler, I believe." Megan's eyes rolled dramatically, her fork stabbing into her pizza with exaggerated disdain.
Hailey's expression shifted instantly—eyebrows climbing, lips parting in disbelief. "Tyler? From Law 417?" The disgust etched across her face mirrored Megan's.
"Yes," Megan snapped, almost before Hailey finished, her tone clipped, her eyes flashing.
Hailey shook her head, scoffing, her voice rising with incredulity. "Why the fuck would he ever think he'd have a chance with you?"
Megan leaned back, smirking, her disgust softening into amusement. "Honestly, I'm as shocked as you are." She bit into her pizza, chewing with deliberate slowness, as though savoring her own dismissal of him.
Hailey leaned forward, coconut smoothie in hand, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "What was your response? Did you give him time?"
Megan's nose wrinkled, her lips curling into a sneer. "Ew. I told him to fuck off." She let out a grunt, sharp and final.
Hailey grinned, satisfaction spreading across her face. "That's my girl." She turned then, her gaze sliding toward Lily, who had been quiet, her faint smile lingering like a secret.
"You've been really quiet all day. What's up with you?" Hailey's eyebrow lifted, her tone probing.
Lily blinked, her hand rising instinctively to her chest. "Me?" Her voice was soft, almost hesitant.
"Yes, you," Hailey pressed, leaning forward, her eyes narrowing with playful suspicion. "I've noticed that smile you've been wearing."
Lily's lips curved wider, her fingers still circling the rim of her smoothie glass. "I'm happy," she said simply, her voice calm, steady.
Hailey shifted in her chair, restless curiosity sparking in her eyes. "And?"
"And what?" Lily's tone was light, teasing, her smile refusing to fade.
Hailey sighed, exasperated, her shoulders dropping. "Do I have to spill it out? Care to share why you've been smiling all day?"
Lily's smile deepened, her eyes glinting. "I don't mind saying. Let's just say I was lucky enough to get Tony Blackwood to give me his number."
Hailey's lips parted, her breath catching audibly. "What?" Her voice was sharp, disbelief etched across her face.
Megan nearly choked on her drink, coughing as her eyes widened. "No way."
Lily reached into her purse, her fingers brushing against the fabric before pulling out her phone. She slid it across the table toward Hailey. "Here. This is our chat."
Hailey's eyes darted across the screen, widening with each line. "He's even asked you out on a date?" Her voice trembled with shock.
"Yes." Lily's giggle slipped out, light and bubbling. "I have a date with him tomorrow."
Megan snatched the phone from Hailey's hands, her movements quick, almost frantic. "What? Let me see." Her eyes scanned the messages, her lips moving silently before she whispered, "The fuck."
She handed the phone back, her expression shifting, seriousness settling over her features. "You do know there's a rumor flying around that there's a girl carrying his child?"
Lily's fingers wrapped around her glass again, her smile unwavering. "I know. And I don't care. She's no competition for me." She lifted the smoothie to her lips, sipping slowly, her eyes gleaming with quiet confidence.
The tension dissolved into laughter, Megan's sharp chuckle mixing with Hailey's amused giggle. Their voices rose, filling the restaurant, blending with the clatter of plates and the murmur of other conversations.